Campsite Sniper
Virginia · Recreation.gov

Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)

38.5284° N / 78.4383° W · Data Sep 18 2026, checked hourly
Next open date Sep 18Next open weekend Sep 18493 detected openings this week215 monitored sites

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Every site at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA), colored by availability across the tracked window. Tap a site for its calendar.
Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)

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Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 493 site openings here in the last 7 days
Set a free alert →
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-232459

When Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA) reopens

Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)'s openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 7 days
493
Openings · last 30 days
845
Openings · last 90 days
881

Weekday pattern

Detected openings by day of week · 90d
0408012016020013615516616310355103MONTUEWEDTHUFRISATSUNOPENINGS RECORDED · LAST 90 DAYS · N = 881

No strong weekday pattern is evident in the openings Campsite Sniper has detected: 881 openings spread across the week.

Hour-of-day pattern

First detected by hour · local time · last 90 days
0100200300400359000408121620HOUR OF DAY (24H) · ET · LAST 90 DAYS

The largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 08:00 and 20:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 420 of 881 detected openings (47.7%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Eastern Time, not when the change was made upstream.

Lead-time profile

Days before stay date · percentiles
P25 · 6DMEDIAN · 14 DAYS OUTP75 · 18D0306090120150180DAYS BEFORE STAY DATE

Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 14 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 6–18 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.

Highest-churn sites

Most openings · 90d
SiteOpeningsShare of all openings
050  171.9%
C137  151.7%
C126  141.6%
C133  141.6%
C135  141.6%

Site 050 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 17. One free watch covers every site here.

02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Nov 29, 2026 · of 215 monitored sites

Of the 15,695 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Nov 29, 2026): 7,849 open for online reservation · 6,248 reserved · 26 closed · 1,572 not yet released.

Where the open windows are

50% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 7,849 of 15,695 remain open; here is where they are.

Load status

Sep 18 – Nov 29, 2026
Not open online50%
Open site-nights7,849 / 15,695
Reserved (of online inventory)6,248 / 14,097
Weekday openings5,144
Weekend openings2,705

Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 5,144 fall on weekdays and 2,705 on weekends (Fri–Sun).

Open dates by month

Sep 2026 – Nov 2026
02,0004,0006,0008,0001,1512,5584,140SEPOCTNOVSOLID = OPEN SITE-NIGHTS · DASHED OUTLINE = TOTAL BOOKABLE

November holds the most room. 4,140 of 6,235 site-nights are still open there.

Holiday windows

Sites open per night · of 215 sites
WindowNightSites openStatus
Labor DaySAT Sep 50None open
SUN Sep 60None open
MON Sep 70None open
ThanksgivingTHU Nov 26160Open
FRI Nov 27156Open
SAT Nov 28158Open

Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 155 sites are available for the complete three-night stay.

Best-availability sites

Most open site-nights · tracked window
SiteOpen site-nights
B111  56
E172  53
D159  52
015  51
030  51

The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.

Next windows

As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshot
Next open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18

The next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.

Stays and site detail

7,849 open site-nights across 215 sites at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA), from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.

Multi-night stays. 930 2-night, 761 3-night, 239 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 20 at site 006.

RV length. Longest recorded site here is 85 ft. 143 sites take 25 ft, 58 sites take 35 ft, 31 sites take 40 ft. 50 sites of 215 have no recorded maximum and are not counted.

Showing 60 of 215 sites with current availability
SiteMax RVHookupsOpen site-nightsLongest runDates
B11144 ftNone5636 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5 +44 more
E17220 ftNone5322 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +41 more
D15931 ftNone5222 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5 +40 more
015Not recordedNone5122 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8 +39 more
030Not recordedNone5129 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5 +39 more
033Not recordedNone5136 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +39 more
D15525 ftNone5136 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +39 more
022Not recordedNone5022 nightsSep 20, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12 +38 more
D15130 ftNone5036 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14 +38 more
E17620 ftNone5022 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +38 more
011Not recordedNone4922 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Oct 1, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 19 +37 more
021Not recordedNone4931 nightsSep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +37 more
023Not recordedNone4929 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 19 +37 more
D14928 ftNone4926 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5 +37 more
E18620 ftNone4922 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8 +37 more
B11325 ftNone4829 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +36 more
B11830 ftNone4822 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +36 more
D15327 ftNone4829 nightsSep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +36 more
E18220 ftNone4822 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12 +36 more
020Not recordedNone4715 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 8, Oct 15 +35 more
028Not recordedNone4722 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 20 +35 more
039Not recordedNone4722 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 14 +35 more
D16028 ftNone4729 nightsSep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +35 more
D16131 ftNone4722 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +35 more
014Not recordedNone4622 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 20 +34 more
017Not recordedNone4622 nightsSep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 19, Oct 20, Oct 21 +34 more
031Not recordedNone4622 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Oct 1, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15 +34 more
B10634 ftNone4629 nightsSep 20, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12 +34 more
D14325 ftNone4636 nightsSep 22, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 25, Oct 26 +34 more
D15731 ftNone4627 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 13 +34 more
013Not recordedNone459 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 8, Oct 13 +33 more
016Not recordedNone4522 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13 +33 more
018Not recordedNone4522 nightsSep 23, Sep 24, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 22, Oct 25 +33 more
041Not recordedNone4522 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8 +33 more
D14524 ftNone4529 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 28, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 22, Oct 25, Oct 26 +33 more
D15824 ftNone4536 nightsSep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 25, Oct 26, Oct 27 +33 more
D16235 ftNone4518 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 12 +33 more
D16328 ftNone458 nightsSep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5 +33 more
027Not recordedNone4415 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Oct 4, Oct 12, Oct 20, Oct 21, Oct 22, Oct 25 +32 more
035Not recordedNone4422 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5 +32 more
A06230 ftNone4429 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +32 more
B11431 ftNone4415 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 22 +32 more
D14628 ftNone4430 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +32 more
D16427 ftNone4422 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 14, Oct 25 +32 more
H21315 ftNone4429 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 27, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 25, Oct 26 +32 more
019Not recordedNone4328 nightsSep 22, Sep 23, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 18, Oct 19, Oct 20, Oct 25, Oct 26 +31 more
A06339 ftNone4329 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 19, Oct 20 +31 more
B11733 ftNone4322 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 15, Oct 22 +31 more
D14729 ftNone4318 nightsSep 20, Sep 24, Sep 27, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14, Oct 18, Oct 22, Oct 25, Oct 26 +31 more
D16838 ftNone4323 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 25 +31 more
E18425 ftNone4322 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7 +31 more
034Not recordedNone4222 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 15, Oct 18 +30 more
038Not recordedNone4222 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 12, Oct 13, Oct 14 +30 more
A07224 ftNone4222 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 15, Oct 18, Oct 22, Oct 26 +30 more
A08428 ftNone4222 nightsSep 22, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 12, Oct 15, Oct 20, Oct 25, Oct 26 +30 more
A09332 ftNone4223 nightsSep 21, Sep 27, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 18, Oct 25, Oct 26 +30 more
A09430 ftNone4222 nightsSep 23, Sep 24, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 4, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 14, Oct 19, Oct 25, Oct 27 +30 more
B10929 ftNone4215 nightsSep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 8, Oct 15, Oct 25 +30 more
D15230 ftNone4222 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 8, Oct 14 +30 more
D15425 ftNone4215 nightsSep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 12, Oct 20, Oct 21 +30 more

About Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)

Overview

Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of Shenandoah National Park, the Big Meadows Campground is the ideal spot for an outdoor family getaway.

Recreation

Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint while others wind deep into the forest and wilderness.

Big Meadows is near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the park. Three waterfalls are within walking distance, and the Meadow, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, is an ideal nearby attraction.

Wildlife viewing is also a popular pastime, with black bears, wild turkey, deer, birds and countless other animals thriving in the park.

The campground is also located right off the famous Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning views are visible from any of the 75 scenic overlooks.

Facilities

This expansive campground offers more than 200 campsites, including sites that can accommodate larger groups. Picnic areas are provided, as well as conveniences like flush toilets, showers and a dump station which creates a comfortable camping experience. There is limited WIFI access at the Byrd Visitor Center and Big Meadows Lodge. Cell phone reception is available at the Amphitheather.

Natural Features

Shenandoah National Park spans 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west.

The scenery at Big Meadows Campground never disappoints, with a stunning array of colors in the fall and a blanket of bright wildflowers in the spring. This green and shady campground is a wilderness paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Nearby Attractions

Two visitor centers with bookstores and exhibits are located in the park (milepost 5 and milepost 51). Byrd Visitor Center is a short one mile walk by either trail or sidewalk if you choose not to drive. There are concession managed restaurants, gift shops and lodging facilities scattered throughout the park. Big Meadows Lodge and Restaurant is a 5 minute walk from the campground and Big Meadows Wayside is located beside Byrd Visitor Center.

215 monitored sitesRVs up to 85 ftNo hookups173 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 15

Getting there

Do NOT attempt to use the Tanners Ridge Road to access Big Meadows Campground. The Tanners Ridge Road does not provide entrance to Skyline Drive and does not provide access to Big Meadows Campground. Program your GPS to one of the four park entrance stations at Front Royal Entrance Station, Thornton Gap Entrance Station, Swift Run Entrance Station, or Rockfish Gap Entrance Station. From Washington, D.C., metro area, travel west on Interstate 66 to exit 43A. Take US Highway 29 south to Warrenton, Virginia, then merge onto US Highway 211 west to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive Thornton Gap Entrance. Take Skyline Drive south approximately 19 miles and turn right into the Big Meadows area. Follow the signs to Big Meadows Campground. From Richmond, Virginia area, travel west on Interstate 64 to exit 136 for Zion Crossroads, Virginia. Take exit to US Highway 15 North, then turn onto US Highway 33 west and follow 28 miles to the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, Swift Run Gap Entrance. Take Skyline Drive North approximately 15 miles and turn left into the Big Meadows area. Follow the signs to Big Meadows Campground.

Shenandoah National Park Headquarters, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835540-999-3500 X 3747
BackpackingBerry PickingBikingBirdingCampingDay Use AreaEvening ProgramsGuided Interpretive WalksHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteInformation SiteInterpretive ProgramsScenic DriveStar GazingVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing

View on Recreation.gov ↗   Get directions ↗

FAQ

How do I get a reservation at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)?

Reservations for Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA) are made through Recreation.gov. 7,849 of 15,695 tracked site-nights are currently open (50%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 881 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.

Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?

No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.

How current is this availability data?

Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.

How often do new openings appear at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)?

Campsite Sniper detected 493 site-date openings at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA) in the last 7 days, 845 over 30 days and 881 over the last 90.

Can I get a multi-night stay at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)?

761 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 20 at site 006. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.

Which sites at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA) fit a 35-foot RV?

58 of the 215 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 85 ft. 165 of those 215 sites have a recorded maximum length and 50 do not; they are not counted as fitting.

Which month has the most availability at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)?

November 2026, with 4,140 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 6,235.

How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)?

Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 14 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 6-18 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.

When is the next open date at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)?

As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.

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